Where does “ephemeral” come from?
Ephemeral comes from New Latin ephemerus, from Ancient Greek ἐφήμερος, a compound of ἐπί and a root meaning "day," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂eh₃-.
ephemeral (English): Something which lasts for a short period of time;...
Definitions
- Something which lasts for a short period of time;...
Ancestry of “ephemeral”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Late Latin | ephemerus | — |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ἐφήμερος | living only one day; short-lived; for a day;... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ἐπι- | on, upon, on top of, all over, covering; on,... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ἐπί | as well, besides; For usage in composition, see... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | Ἡμέρα | — |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | ἦμαρ | day; by day; midday |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | ā́mər | day |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eh₃mr̥ | heat |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eh₃- | to be hot; to burn |